THE COACH’S COACH

HI, I'M JESSICA

I'm an aerial coach and mentor with almost two decades in this industry. I did not take any traditional route. No fulltime professional training programs. No lifelong commitment to the pursuit of perfect toe point. I did not receive the blessings of the aerial illuminati. I did not genuflect when my name was called.

What I was, always, was CURIOUS, even if it was just climbing trees in my backyard. When my parallel bar routines did not get me discovered on the playground, I moved on to tennis and then dance and later skiing. I was never particularly gifted in any of them.

When I stumbled onto aerial silks and dance trapeze in my early thirties, it felt like coming home. The curiosity that turned me onto tennis, dance, and skiing is the same curiosity that drew me to aerial. So I traveled far and wide to seek out teachers. I investigated techniques outside of circus that unlocked doors to so many skills. I read. I studied. I read some more. I took every opportunity that came my way. There weren't many, so I began creating my own opportunities.

The Parish is the feminist AF aerial community that would have blown my mind when I got tired of straps bros mansplaining me about what was happening in my body. I am committed to sharing the wisdom of the many great women who inform my personal movement practice. I hope to helping other women find their aerial home outside of a dopamine-hit aerial culture that apologizes for its imperfections instead of treasuring the "mistakes" required for deep knowing.

ARTIST, PERFORMER, COACH, ATHLETE, ENTREPRENEUR

• Past clients have been accepted into professional training programs at Ecole Nationale de Cirque, National Institute of Circus Arts, and New England Center for Circus Arts
• Holds a BA from University of Colorado at Boulder in political science; JD from Boston University; and MA from George Washington University in political management
• Has 1000+ hours of training in the Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis Methods®, including specialized training on the Archway, on the Leg Extension Unit, and for dancers
• Has hosted aerial, handstand, and flexibility workshops and retreats across the US, Canada, Europe, SE Asia, and Mexico, including at American Circus Educators conferences
• Directed circus shows that won development residencies from the New England Center for Circus Arts, Fringe awards, and other honors

YES, I WORKED FOR THE CIA AND OTHER FUN FACTS

•  Worked as a leadership analyst with THAT CIA for more than a decade. Hiked through mine fields in Africa and got kicked out of the Balkans
•  Lover of street jazz, alum of the Galen Hooks Method and Jacob Jonas the Company Digital Intensive, and former coach to competition dancers
•  Shares a domicile with a Scottish fold, a Scottish straight, a British shorthair, an Egyptian mau, and a rescue kitty named Ossie Davis
•  Lives in the Willamette Valley in Oregon and loves pinot noir